Friday, 12 July 2013

Imagine… a real author reading your pupils’ work and giving them 1:1 feedback! We’ve put it into practice using a new webservice and app called ‘Teacher Feedback’.

Teacher Feedback was launched by Leading ICT Teacher James Blomfield on Professor Stephen Heppell’s ‘Learning Together’ stand at BETT 2013. They invited me to join them by live video link up to talk about my experience.

Teacher Feedback lets teachers (or in my case guest authors!) record feedback for students to hear. When students log on they can listen to the personalised feedback that has been recorded for them. The student hears a teacher or writer talking directly to them, giving constructive critique, suggestions and possible improvements. Students can rate how well they understand the feedback and post comments or questions back.

In busy classrooms, Teacher Feedback can also multiply the teachers’ effectiveness. For example a whole class could begin a creative writing lesson by listening to their own bespoke feedback on how to improve a current piece of writing.

I worked with Year 3 pupils at Capel-le-Ferne Primary School near Dover. All of the class wrote their own 'Haunted House Stories' and sent them to me. I was able to record a personal response for each of the children, which they loved. They also wrote performance poems in the style of 'Whiffy Wilson' that I gave 1:1 feedback on to improve. The project was inspirational for pupils and impressed teachers, parents and governors.

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

The Princess and the Peas has been shortlisted for not one, but two regional awards. The Stockport Mad About Books Award and the Oldham Brilliant Books Award are two very prestigious awards that take place in November this year.You can see all the shortlisted books here:Stockport Mad About Books ShortlistsOldham Brilliant Book Awards ShortlistsI was lucky enough to win both awards last year with my book How to Grow a Dinosaur, illustrated by Ed Eaves and published by Simon & Schuster. The two ceremonies were jam packed with glitz and glamour and we all have a fantastic time! Here's hoping for another win later in the year...The Princess and the Peas is illustrated by the hugely talented and totally delightful Sarah Warburton, and published by those clever people at Nosy Crow.

The mucky but adorable Whiffy Wilson has made his first television appearance!

Thanks to the wonderful team at Bookaboo, Canadian Actor Zaib Shaikh put in a fantastic performance with the famous book-loving pooch, reading a cleverly animated version of the book.You can watch it here until 27 JulyA story a day or I just can't play!!Watch Whiffy Wilson on Bookaboo

And if you want to listen to something totally adorable, here's Max reading Whiffy Wilson with his Daddy.Listen to Max reading

I am very pleased to announce that I have recently become the Patron of Reading for Fairfield Preparatory School in Loughborough.If you haven't heard of it before, the Patron of Reading Scheme aims to create personal bonds between schools and designated authors or illustrators.

The author (or illustrator) then works with the school on a regular basis to raise the profile of reading for pleasure. This, in turn, improves reading standards and can also motivate children in creative writing and other activities.

Last week, I made my second visit to Fairfield Prep,
following a very successful day on World Book Day. It was lovely to see
the children again and I hear that my visit was anticipated with much
excitement! I spent the day working with Year 2 children - reading stories and making up poems.

Martine Saperia, Pre-Prep English Co-ordinator said, "We are delighted to have Caryl as our Patron of Reading. The children love the fact that they know a real live author!"

Personally, I think the Patron of Reading
scheme is a brilliant idea. It enables me to develop a proper
relationship with both teachers and children. It helps children see the
relevance of reading and writing, and, perhaps
more importantly, it helps them realise that even the professionals
don't get things right straight away.

"Seeing Caryl's exercise book from her own school days
really helped one child understand that we all have to start somewhere,
and not to be daunted by what might seem an impossible task. Caryl was
able to give the children individual attention which made such a
difference to their confidence."

Both Martine and I are really looking forward to developing our relationship and to working together in the future.

About me:
I became a full time children's author in 2007 and have been lucky enough to have several books published. I write picture books, young fiction and also run workshops for schools and libraries.Author Revealed My Secret Life!